Momentum swings to Kings are hurting Blackhawks

They must find ways to regain advantage rather than stagnate after opponent makes couple of big plays

May 23, 2014|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

LOS ANGELES — In Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference finals, the Blackhawks seemed in complete control — and then they weren't.

What happened? The Kings did.

The goal of any hockey team is to play a full 60 minutes with dominant puck possession, offensive-zone time and limited scoring chances for the opposition. The reality is that at some point, the other team will turn the tide and seize momentum. The key is to curb those times and regain control when they do happen.

The Hawks have had mixed results in the first two games of the series, which is tied 1-1 with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday night at Staples Center.

In Game 1, the Hawks were able to rebound for the victory after officials overturned an apparent Jonathan Toews goal and the Kings tied the game a short time later. The Hawks righted the ship and recorded a 3-1 victory to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series.

In Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Hawks saw their 2-0 lead late in the second period cut in half when the Kings scored off a goal-mouth scramble. Then they piled on five more goals in the third period for a 6-2 triumph.

"It's all about momentum," Hawks winger Patrick Kane said after Friday's practice. "The last game they did a great job when we had the momentum. They got one goal, and we didn't do a good enough job of getting (momentum) back. After that, you're trying to play catch-up, and you give up a few breaks.

"You're not going to have your best every shift, (and) you're not going to be able to hold on to the puck the whole night. When you talk about playing a full 60 minutes, that's mostly concentrated on a period-to-period basis. Hopefully, you can get the upper edge in each period, and that should be a good recipe (for victory)."

As dominant as the Hawks have been throughout much of their run to two Stanley Cups in the last four seasons, there have been times when things have gone awry. Winger Patrick Sharp said it's not always about what the Hawks are doing, but also giving credit to opponents for seizing control.

"The difference is you have to understand and know the other team is going to create something," Sharp said. "You have to have respect for what the opponent can do: They're going to score goals, they're going to make plays and they're going to play in your end. The idea of playing 60 minutes is realizing the importance of every shift (and) doing the little things that our coaches and players talk about to be successful. If we don't do those, we're getting in trouble."

Said goaltender Corey Crawford: "There are times when teams make plays. That's the name of the game. You try to limit their chances and limit their plays and make more than they can."

Sharp said there are ways to regain what was lost, and they don't all include scoring goals.

"When they seem to capture momentum, we have to find a way to break through, whether it's a big hit, whether it's scoring chances, moving our feet or drawing a penalty, who knows?" Sharp said. "Momentum is big."